mouseout action overriding click action

I have a web button that changes color with mouseover and then back to its original color on mouseout. i also want it to have a third color state for click. it's no problem to set that action but i want the button to linger on that color state even after the mouse is moved. instead, however, it goes back to the mouseout state. how can i fix this? it's driving me crazy.  MANY THANKS!!